Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins最新文献

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been linked to various health benefits, including anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-obesity effects. Obesity, marked by abnormal fat deposition, increases the risk of metabolic disorders such as cardiovascular diseases and type-2 diabetes. Natural anti-adipogenic modulators with insulin sensitivity are one of the approaches to address the issue. In the present study, four distinct CLA-producing probiotic strains (Lacticaseibacillus paracasei LUL:01, Latilactobacillus curvatus LGM:16, Lactiplantibacillus paraplantarum LRJ1:09, and Enterococcus faecalis LJM:05) were assessed in vitro for their potential anti-adipogenic properties using 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Out of four strains, LGM:16 inhibited lipid accumulation (100.27%), reduced intracellular triglyceride content (168.42, 168.16, and 153.66 mg/dL in a dose-dependent manner), and enhanced insulin sensitivity (32.23%) by increasing glucose uptake. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed the expression genes (PPARγ, C/EBPα, and GLUT-4) in LGM:16 strain. Consequently, LGM: 16 was used to develop a non-dairy probiotic formulation incorporating honey and Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom, ensuring a probiotic count above the minimum recommended level of 6 Log10 CFU/mL. Further, response surface methodology optimized probiotic beverage formulation to achieve favorable nutritional, good sensory profile, antioxidant, and anti-obesity activity, making it a promising candidate for health benefits.

Despite the growing development of probiotics for preventing bacterial vaginosis (BV), their effectiveness in women without BV has not been thoroughly investigated. This pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aims to assess the impact of orally administered probiotic strains, exhibiting in vitro antimicrobial activity against Gardnerella vaginalis and Candida albicans, on vaginal well-being in women without preexisting health conditions. Healthy women (n = 30, aged 19-50) were enrolled and randomly assigned using simple randomization to receive either probiotic or placebo capsules. After excluding dropouts, 26 participants (15 in the probiotic group, 11 in the placebo group) completed the study, undergoing a 3-week intervention. Vaginal well-being was assessed before and after the intervention using self-assessed health on a 5-point Likert scale, along with analysis of the vaginal microbiome by targeting the 16S-ITS-23S rRNA operon region with the Nanopore sequencing platform and MIrROR database. Notably, only the probiotic group exhibited a significant improvement in self-assessed overall gut and vaginal health following the intervention (p = 0.009 and p = 0.003, respectively). Nevertheless, no significant changes were observed in the vaginal bacterial community following the intervention and confirming the vaginal colonization of orally ingested probiotic strains through metagenome sequencing proved challenging. In summary, these findings suggest that while oral probiotics may improve perceived vaginal well-being, their role in modulating the vaginal microbiome in healthy women remains inconclusive. Additional research with a larger sample size is necessary to substantiate the endorsement of oral probiotic consumption for preventing BV or maintaining vaginal health in healthy women. This study was retrospectively registered at Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS) (KCT0008957, November 15, 2023).

Modern stressors such as stress, irregular lifestyles, lack of exercise, and poor eating habits weaken immunity, thereby increasing susceptibility to infections and chronic diseases. Probiotics are functional ingredients that regulate gut microbiota, enhance immune function, and reduce oxidative stress. In this study, we identified novel probiotic candidates with antioxidant and immunostimulatory properties. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WB4304, L. plantarum WB4305, and Levilactobacillus brevis WB4306, isolated from the traditional fermented food kimchi, exhibited acid and bile salt tolerance and strong adhesion to HT-29 cells, suggesting their suitability for intestinal colonization. Their safety was confirmed through hemolytic activity, bile salt hydrolase activity, and antibiotic susceptibility assays. Notably, L. plantarum WB4304 and L. plantarum WB4305 exhibited higher radical scavenging activities than Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG. These strains significantly enhanced nitric oxide (NO) production and phagocytosis in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Immune activation was mediated by upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α through the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. Among the three strains, L. plantarum WB4304 and L. plantarum WB4305 exhibited the most pronounced immunostimulatory effects. These findings suggest the potential of L. plantarum WB4304, L. plantarum WB4305, and L. brevis WB4306 as safe and functional probiotics, with promising applications in oxidative stress management and immune health enhancement.

Postbiotics are molecules or soluble factors released as a result of a probiotic's metabolic activity. Their use in enhancing the growth, health, and disease resistance of aquatic animals has gained considerable attention in aquaculture. The present investigation was designed to assess the beneficial effects of postbiotic products derived from two probiotic strains, Bacillus subtilis and B. amyloliquefaciens. Postbiotics from B. subtilis exhibited significantly greater (p < 0.05) antibacterial activity against various pathogenic bacterial strains, more robust antagonistic growth kinetics, stronger anti-virulence potential, enhanced inhibition of biofilm formation, and increased antioxidant activity compared to those from B. amyloliquefaciens. Additionally, B. subtilis postbiotics triggered a significant (p < 0.05) cellular immune response, including higher myeloperoxidase activity, leucocyte proliferation, and production of nitric oxide and superoxide anions, along with a notable upregulation of immune-related gene expression (IL-1β, IL-10, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) in the head kidney leucocytes of Labeo rohita. A challenge test on L. rohita fingerlings confirmed the safety of B. subtilis postbiotics. These findings highlight the anti-pathogenic, immunostimulatory, and disease-resistant properties of B. subtilis postbiotics, suggesting their promising application in aquaculture.

As a probiotic, Weizmannia coagulans (W. coagulans) is often used in food and medicine to regulate intestinal flora and exert anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, the anti-acne efficacy and mechanism of extracellular proteins (YTCY-EPs) from W. coagulans YTCY strain are analyzed. The main components of YTCY-EPs, extracted and separated from the fermentation broth, are peptides ranging from 1.51 to 11.44 kDa, accounting for about 80%. Among the peptides identified by LC/MS-MS, YTCY_A-F possess the properties of antimicrobial peptides, while YTCY_1-4 possess antioxidative properties. These peptides have a strong effect on Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) and significantly inhibit Staphylococcus aureus. The inhibition rate of biofilm adhesion of YT-EPs to C. acnes reached 50% under the MIC. It was found that YTCY-EPs possess strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It can effectively reduce active oxygen nearly 3 times and can reduce the downstream TLR2/NF-κB and MAPKs/AP-1 pathways by regulating the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and AP-1 in vitro. The transcriptional expression of inflammatory cytokines, inflammatory chemokines, and matrix metalloproteinase genes is also regulated, thereby slowing the recruitment of inflammatory cells and the development of inflammation, and increasing keratinocyte mobility. In addition, the expression levels of inflammatory factors and matrix metalloproteinases in the rabbit ears with acne problems that were tested with YTCY-EPs were significantly reduced, and it was obviously observed that the rabbit ear inflammation, acne, and keratinization problems were repaired. The results of this study prove that YTCY-EPs can be used as a potential anti-acne raw material in cosmetics.

The rapid increase in microbial antibiotic resistance in Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) strains and the formation of hypervirulent strains have been associated with a global increase in the incidence of C. difficile infection (CDI) and subsequently, an increase in the rate of recurrence. These consequences have led to an urgent need to develop new and promising alternative strategies to control this pathogen. Engineered probiotics are exciting new bacterial strains produced by editing the genome of the original probiotics. Recently, engineered probiotics have been used to develop delivery vehicles for vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Recent studies have demonstrated engineered probiotics may potentially be an effective approach to control or treat CDI. This review provides a brief overview of the considerations for engineered probiotics for medicinal use, with a focus on recent preclinical research using engineered probiotics to prevent or treat CDI. We also address the challenges faced in the production of engineered strains and how they may be overcome in the application of these agents to meet patient needs in the future.

The European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), one of the most produced marine fish species in Europe, is acutely vulnerable to multiple infectious hazards. In this study, we investigated the potential probiotic effect of some marine Pseudoalteromonas bacterial strains against two major pathogens of this species, Vibrio harveyi and the nervous necrosis virus (NNV), and examined their antibiofilm effect. Impregnation phase was done by repeated immersion of juvenile's sea bass during 8 to 12 weeks in seawater containing the probiotic candidates at a concentration of 10⁶ CFU/mL. Four candidates were tested: (1) a combination of two strains producing antimicrobial compounds, hCg-42 and hOe-125; (2) strain 3J6, with known antibiofilm properties; (3) strain RA15, from the same genus, but with no identified probiotic effect; and (4) a control group without probiotics. At the end of the impregnation phase, fish underwent an infection challenge with V. harveyi or with a pathogenic strain of NNV and mortality was monitored. For the V. harveyi challenge, improved survival rates of 10 and 25% were obtained for the RA15 and the mix hCg-42 + hOe-125-impregnated groups, respectively. For the NNV challenge, no significant benefic effect of the probiotics on infection kinetics or cumulative mortality was observed. At the end of the impregnation phase, the maximal thickness of biofilm was significantly lower in the 3J6, double strain, and RA15 groups, compared with the non-impregnated control group. This study highlights the interesting probiotic potential of marine bacteria to limit mortalities induced by bacterial pathogens as well as biofilm development.

Dairy foods have become an interest in chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to their nutritional profile, which makes them a good substrate for probiotics incorporation. This study evaluated the effect of probiotic-enriched Minas cheese with Lactobacillus acidophilus La-05 in an experimental rat model for CKD on cardiac, inflammatory, and oxidative stress parameters. Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 7/group): 5/6 nephrectomy + conventional Minas cheese (NxC); 5/6 nephrectomy + probiotic Minas cheese (NxPC); Sham + conventional Minas cheese (ShamC); Sham + probiotic Minas cheese (ShamPC). Offering 20 g/day of Minas cheese with Lact. acidophilus La-05 (10⁸-10⁹ log CFU/g) for 6 weeks. The cardiomyocyte diameter was determined. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in plasma, heart, kidney, and colon tissue was performed. At the end of supplementation, no significant changes in lipid profile and renal parameters were found. The NxPC group showed a decrease in cardiomyocyte diameter compared to the NxC group (16.99 ± 0.85 vs. 19.05 ± 0.56 μm, p = 0.0162); also they showed reduced plasmatic SOD activity (502.8 ± 49.12 vs. 599.4 ± 94.69 U/mL, p < 0.0001). In summary, probiotic-enriched Minas cheese (Lact. acidophilus La-05) consumption suggests a promisor cardioprotective effect and was able to downregulate SOD activity in a rat model of CKD.

Antimicrobial resistance is an important health concern globally, and probiotics are considered an alternative to minimize it. The present study examined the in vitro probiotic characteristics and in vivo immunomodulatory potential of Bacillus sp. 62A - an extremophile bacterium. Bacillus sp. 62A was evaluated in vitro for its cytotoxicity, hemolytic activity, antibiotic susceptibility, and resistance to gastrointestinal conditions (bile salts, low pH, and intestinal adherence). Additionally, the immunomodulatory effect of Bacillus sp. 62A was studied in mice. The animals were supplemented daily with phosphate-buffered saline (control) and Bacillus sp. 62A at 1 × 10⁸ colony forming units (CFU). Samples were taken on days 5 and 10. Isolated splenocytes were challenged with Escherichia coli for immunological analyses and immune-related gene expression. Serum and feces were collected for IgA and IgG determination. Bacillus sp. 62A did not show cytotoxicity, hemolytic activity, or resistance to antibiotics. Furthermore, the bacterium has autoaggregation and intestinal adhesion capacities and grows in the presence of bile salts and low pH. Bacillus supplementation in mice improved respiratory burst activity, nitric oxide production, and IL-1β and IL-6 gene expressions, mainly at 10 days. After E. coli challenge, Bacillus supplementation in mice induced an anti-inflammatory response through a decrease in immunological parameters and an increase in IL-10 gene expression. Moreover, serum IgA and IgG and fecal IgG augmented in supplemented mice. In conclusion, Bacillus sp. 62A has biosafe and immunomodulatory probiotic potential.